"A look at some of the historic taverns and inns of central Pennsylvania, giving a view into the world of early American hospitality. Inns have served Americans for centuries, through its War of Independence, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. They also played an important role in politics, commerce, and business. Many settlers passed through them on their journey westward and relied on them to escape the discomfort and sheer tedium of travel by foot, coach, wagon, or horseback. They also served as the local post office, court house, commissioners' meeting rooms, auction site, polling place, news centers, and even as the site for draft lotteries during the Revolution and later.Beautifully illustrated with many photographs- both modern and historical, advertisements of the times, and descriptions. -- Accomac Inn, Altland House, The Cat's Meow, the Franklin House, General Sutter Inn, The Olde Lincoln House, Revere Tavern, Shank's Tavern, Stouch Tavern, Wahtney's Inn and the White Horse Inn." [from the publisher]
Chapters: A roundabout journey from Philadelphia to Easton - On the Lackawanna Trail, from Easton to the line of New York State - From Philadelphia to Allentown, Bethlehem, Mauch Chunk, and Wilkes-Barre - From Philadelphia to Reading, Pottsville, and Sunbury - South of the Lincoln Highway and East of the Susquehanna - From Philadelphia to Harrisburg - From Downingtown to Harrisburg - From Philadelphia, by Valley Forge and Reading, to Harrisburg - From Phoenixville to Lancaster - From Harrisburg to the New York line - Up the north branch of the Susquehanna River, from Sunbury to Athens - From Harrisburg to York and Gettysburg, and return to Harrisburg - From Harrisburg to Carlisle, Chambersburg, Bedford, and Hollidaysburg - From Harrisburg to Hollidaysburg and Altoona - From Altoona to Williamsport - By the roadside in Fairmount Park
Summary
Published in 1917, John T. Fariss Old Roads Out of Philadelphia offers readers a glimpse into the history of ten historic roads that originate in Philadelphia: the Kings Highway to Wilmington, Baltimore Pike, Westchester Turnpike, Lancaster Turnpike, Gulph Road, Ridge Road, Old Germantown Road, the road to Bethlehem, Old York Road, and the road between Bristol and Trenton. Following the paths of these highways, most of which still exist today in one form or another, Faris provides a history of each while discussing important towns and landmarks along its route. Illustrated with photos of these landmarks, many of which have since been torn down, this book presents a snapshot of the days when stages ruled the roads, as well as of how these highways looked in 1917, during the early days of the automobile. For contemporary readers, the book was meant as a companion for auto and trolley touring on the original roads. While most of these historic roadways have been replaced as the major thoroughfares out of Philadelphia, they still exist as secondary and back roads, primarily following their original routes.
